Four days in Paris!

My wife and I came to Paris for 4 days (after 4 days in Reykjavik...highly recommended combo!). Friends of ours (another couple) met us there for 2 days of our trip, so we experienced the romance and also fun with friends! Everyone loves Paris and there's a million reasons why. Needless to say, I'm confident we'll be back many more times in our life.

The Louvre

Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France

The most famous museum in Paris. Even if you don't want to go inside, at least snap a pic in front of it's iconic glass pyramid!

Notre Dame

Another iconic sight in Paris. Definitely a must-see. Free to go inside!

Montmartre: The West Village of Paris

Montmartre, Paris, France

Easily my favorite neighborhood in the city. We stayed here in an AirBnB and will definitely stay again when we return. North Paris, west-village type feel with cobble stone streets, tons of small cafes, bakeries, markets, etc. Take metro to Blanche/Pigalle/Abbesses and walk up to Sacre Coeur. Paris has an annual contest for the best baguette in the city, and the winning bakery supplies the royal palace with baguettes for the whole year. The winners of 2007, 2010, and 2011 are all in this neighborhood. Two of them on Rue des Abbesses (one of the main streets in Montmartre) within 10 feet of each other. Get one in the morning when they’re fresh, the steam comes out when you break it open...heavenly

Sacre Coeur

Sacré-Cœur Basilica, rue du Chevalier-de-La-Barre, Paris, France

Basilica at the top of Montmartre, awesome view of the entire city

Place du Tertre

Place du Tertre, Paris, France

Cool little square near Sacre Coeur with a bunch of artists and a market. A little bit touristy but cool to see while you’re there

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower, Avenue Anatole France, Paris, France

Obligatory picnic and wine on Champs de Mars (park under the Eiffel Tower) is an absolute must. If you come at night, the Eiffel Tower has a light show on the hour from 8 pm to 1 am I think, plus there are guys selling bottles of wine/champagne if you don’t bring your own. Some of the best meals we had in Paris consisted of a baguette, cheese, and wine, usually while walking around or sitting in a park. Keep that in mind (weather permitting)

Drinks in le Marais

Le Marais, Paris, France

We got drinks at several places in the Marais, very trendy and lively neighborhood (tons of shopping during the day too)

Macarons at Laduree

Ladurée, Paris, France

Is it touristy? Yes. Should you still go? Yes. There are several around the city.

The best crepes at Breizh Café

Breizh Café, Rue de l'Odéon, Paris, France

Best crepes in Paris, by numerous sources. They have savory entrée crepes and sweet dessert crepes. Plus they serve local hard cider out of bowls.

Romantic dinner at Le Pantruche

Le Pantruche, Rue Victor Massé, Paris, France

Small, authentic French bistro. We had a great, romantic dinner here our first night in Paris. The Grand Marnier souffle was amazing!

Deyrolle - A fun excursion you might not see in guidebooks

Deyrolle, Rue du Bac, Paris, France

An old taxidermy shop in the 6th arrondissement that’s pretty famous. One of the weirdest but coolest stores I’ve ever been in. They have a massive collection of exotic animals on the top floor

One for the book lovers!

Shakespeare & Co, Rue de la Bûcherie, Paris, France

The original Shakespeare and Co bookstore is right by Notre Dame. Was a hangout spot for some big writers in the 20s like Joyce and Hemingway (Hemingway’s bed is actually still in the store…I laid on it…is that weird?). Cool place to stop in if you’re nearby

Ice cream at Berthillon!

Berthillon, Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île, Paris, France

Amazing local ice cream

Getting in touch with nature in the Jardin du Tuileries

Tuileries Garden, Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France

Great place for a stroll on a nice day

The Louvre

Explore

Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli

The most famous museum in Paris. Even if you don't want to go inside, at least snap a pic in front of it's iconic glass pyramid!

Notre Dame

Explore

Montmartre: The West Village of Paris

EatDrinkExploreShop

Montmartre, Paris

Easily my favorite neighborhood in the city. We stayed here in an AirBnB and will definitely stay again when we return. North Paris, west-village type feel with cobble stone streets, tons of small cafes, bakeries, markets, etc. Take metro to Blanche/Pigalle/Abbesses and walk up to Sacre Coeur. Paris has an annual contest for the best baguette in the city, and the winning bakery supplies the royal palace with baguettes for the whole year. The winners of 2007, 2010, and 2011 are all in this neighborhood. Two of them on Rue des Abbesses (one of the main streets in Montmartre) within 10 feet of each other. Get one in the morning when they’re fresh, the steam comes out when you break it open...heavenly

Place du Tertre

Explore

Place du Tertre, Paris

Eiffel Tower

Explore

Eiffel Tower, Avenue Anatole France

Obligatory picnic and wine on Champs de Mars (park under the Eiffel Tower) is an absolute must. If you come at night, the Eiffel Tower has a light show on the hour from 8 pm to 1 am I think, plus there are guys selling bottles of wine/champagne if you don’t bring your own. Some of the best meals we had in Paris consisted of a baguette, cheese, and wine, usually while walking around or sitting in a park. Keep that in mind (weather permitting)

One for the book lovers!

Explore

Shakespeare & Co, Rue de la Bûcherie

The original Shakespeare and Co bookstore is right by Notre Dame. Was a hangout spot for some big writers in the 20s like Joyce and Hemingway (Hemingway’s bed is actually still in the store…I laid on it…is that weird?). Cool place to stop in if you’re nearby